[Sailor Steve]

On the other hand it could take a lot less than 28 days to install new equipment. Hull repairs? That's a good question.

One great tool for SH3 which has never been duplicated in other versions is SH3 Commander. One of its functions is to randomize the 'Days in Base' setting, or let you choose one at the click of a switch. Using that I've spent as much as two months in base, or as little as five days. That last one was in a Type II after returning from an empty patrol with all torpedoes still on board. Given that a Type II patrol was usually on the order of two weeks or less, I found that to be entirely believable.